Bishop belittles P2-M reward for 'Big 5'

By Ira Pedrasa, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - The bishop of Puerto Princesa, Palawan downplayed the P2 million bounty the Department of Justice has offered for the arrest of each of the so-called “Big Five” fugitives.

Bishop Pedro Arigo told Radio Veritas that the culture of impunity will not stop even if the government increases the reward system against fugitives.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday wondered why authorities have yet to locate the whereabouts of the five fugitives two months after the bountry price was increased to P2 million from P1 million each.

The Big Five are: former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, former general Jovito Palparan, Globe Asiatique developer Delfin Lee, Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo, and New People’s Army leaders Benito Tiamzon and Jorge Madlos. The Reyes brothers are counted as one.